Stenhousemuir 1-1 East Fife – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆William Hill League 1
📍Ochilview Park
🗓️Saturday 30th August | Kick-off: 3:00pm

East Fife secured a draw from the jaws of defeat at Ochilview Park, when the ten-men Fifers scored late to extend their unbeaten run to five games at the weekend.

Dick Campbell made two changes to the side which played in East Fife’s last league game, the 2-1 win over Kelty Hearts. Tommy Goss replaced Rob Jones, while Lewis Latona replaced the suspended Brian Easton, with Connor McManus dropping into the backline.

The overload of midfielders looked to prove fruitful in the first half, as after the first ten minutes or so, East Fife had a real spell of control, playing on the front foot and pinning Stenhousemuir into their defensive half. Unfortunately, despite the territorial advantage, East Fife struggled to make any chances stick. Liam Newton forced Darren Jamieson into a good save from a tight angle, before Michael McKenna had two efforts from set pieces.

The first one looked to catch everyone out, as McKenna’s deep free kick was over hit. Rather than floating the ball into the box to be attacked, it was goal bound, forcing Jamieson into a late scramble to tip the ball onto the crossbar. His second was from a tight angle, but he wrapped his boot around the shot well. It was met by the Warriors’ goalkeeper once again sadly, and the sides went in at the break goalless.

Gary Naysmith’s men came out for the second half rejuvenated, and while they still struggled to gain territory, they were deadly on the counter and continued to grow and become more dominant in the game.

The game sparked to life with twenty minutes to go, but not in the way that East Fife fans would have hoped. In an effort to win the ball, Andy Munro committed a last man foul on the edge of the 18-yard box and saw red for his trouble. Euan O’Reilly made it count to the highest degree, when he then tucked his free kick low, around the wall and into the back of the net, handing Stenhousemuir a one-man and one-goal advantage.

Despite being down to ten men, we still created chances, although struggled to make any stick, as we were constantly wary of the looming threat of a counterattack.

When all hope looked lost, who would step up but Fash. McKenna launched another deep free kick into the box, this time nearer the front post, opposed to the far side of the goal. Nathan Austin’s flicked header caught out Darren Jamieson, who slipped while tracking back to gather, and the ball trickled into the back of the net, with East Fife finding the leveller right at the death.

On Saturday, Andy Munro and Brian Easton will both be available, as their suspensions are only valid for league games. This however means that Campbell and co. will be without both of their starting centre halves the following week against Queen of the South in the league.

Reporters Man of the Match: Michael McKenna

He said in his post match interview he never played well, but I disagree. He worked tirelessly all game, particularly after the red card to help secure the point.

Stenhousemuir: D Jamieson, Meechan, Buchanan, Graham, Ewen (Bilham 45’), Robson, Whyte (Anderson 69’), McGill, O’Reilly, Taylor (N Jamieson 83’), Carrick (Aitken 75’). Subs not used: Simpson, Gromov.

East Fife: Adams, McLeod, Newton (Bah 74’), McManus, Munro, Millar, Larona (Norey 65’), McKenna, Austin, Culbert (Peggie 65’), Goss (Jones 71’). Subs not used: Slattery, Nicol, Rollo.

Referee: Greg Soutar

Attendance: 535